Friday 1 January 2016

Claritystamp Challenge - Say it with flowers



Happy New Year to all.

I can't believe it's a year since I was asked to join the Claritystamp Challenge Design Team.  Where has the time gone? I still feel very privileged.

Another month, another challenge. This month's Challenge is 'Say it with Flowers' and my example was inspired by a Japenese Print.  If you follow my blog you will know I attend an Art class once a week.  Just before Christmas we were doing monoprints and for research had to look at Japenese Woodblock prints.  I really liked one of a single Chrysanthemum so when I saw the challenge was flowers I just had to have a go at my interpretation using Clarity stamps.

Stamps:  Claritystamp Chrysanthemum and Filigraphy Foliage
Ink:        Archival Watering can, Adirondack Lettuce and Cranberry
Other:     Spectrum Noir Pencils


  • Make masks for the leaves by stamping on post-it notes

  • The stamping is done using 'Watering can' as I didn't want it too dark.  Stamp the flower and then lightly sketch where you think the stalk should go. This will help in placing the leaves.
  • Using the leaf masks where necessary stamp the leaves. For the small top left leaf I masked some of the stamp with masking tape before inking. Then removed the tape before stamping .
  • Draw in the leaf stems and flower stalk with a fine black pen.



  • Now just use your colouring pencils to add the colour.  Start light and gradually add darker colours until you like the result.

  • Trim to size and then brush the edges, first with Lettuce ink and then Lettuce with a bit of Cranberry added.
  • Mount on Gold card.
  • Add 'LOVE' sentiment.  I tried to draw it in a pseudo Japanese style to go with the Japanese Print inspiration.  Apologies to any Japanese readers. 
This is a fairly simple card. The only tricky bit was working out the order of stamping the leaves. I hope this inspires you to have a go at this month's Claritystamp Challenge and I look forward to seeing your entries.

Lesley x




13 comments:

  1. What a great card Lesley and very interesting to see how you achieved it. Fab colouring too x

    ReplyDelete
  2. A happy new year to you.
    A beautiful card and such lovely colours you have used. Xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for sharing what inspired you and how you put the flower together - the result is lovely. xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy new year to you I think this card is beautiful the flower work looks so real xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lesley this is just stunning. Beautiful colours and depth. Great blog too. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thankyou ladies. Happy New Year to all x

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gorgeous colours on this Lesley and perfect stamping.
    I can't believe it's been a year either. It's past so quickly. We are very lucky to part of Clarity. Xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. A beautiful card Lesley and will no doubt encourage other Clarity fans out there to try their hand at this month's challenge. Happy New Year to you xxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Gorgeous card Lesley. The design and colours are so striking. Perfectly executed too. Xxx

    ReplyDelete
  10. So cleverly created, Lesley, with an Oriental feel like an image from a piece of antique porcelain. Beautiful! ;~}

    ReplyDelete
  11. Clever use of the stamps Lesley, looks stunning. xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. I just love your flower!! This is so vibrant. I love the movement that you have created in the petals. Excellent piece Lesley. Hugs xxx

    ReplyDelete